Introduction
When Abena Mensah enrolled in the Counselling and Coaching programme three years ago, she admits she wasn’t sure she belonged. Balancing financial pressure, a part-time job, and a demanding academic schedule, she found herself on the edge of dropping out in her very first semester. Today, she graduates with distinction — and a story worth telling.
The Turning Point
It was a conversation with a faculty adviser that changed everything. After attending one of the department’s peer counselling workshops, Abena began engaging more deeply with the course material — not just as theory, but as a personal toolkit.
“I started applying what I was learning to my own situation,” she recalls. “The concepts around cognitive reframing genuinely helped me shift how I was looking at my challenges.”
That shift in perspective became the foundation of her academic turnaround.
Academic Achievements
By her second year, Abena had:
- Made the Dean’s List two consecutive semesters
- Co-authored a research paper on peer support systems in tertiary institutions
- Volunteered as a peer counsellor for incoming first-year students
Her research paper has since been submitted to an academic journal for review — a rare achievement for an undergraduate student.
Looking Ahead
Abena plans to pursue a postgraduate degree in Organisational Psychology, with a focus on workplace mental health in African corporate environments. She also hopes to launch a community initiative that brings affordable counselling services to underserved communities in Accra.
“This programme didn’t just give me a degree,” she says. “It gave me a language for understanding people — including myself.”
A Message to Current Students
When asked what she would tell students who are struggling right now, Abena didn’t hesitate:
“Show up even when it’s hard. Use the resources around you. And don’t be too proud to ask for help — that’s literally what this field is about.”
Do you have a student story worth sharing? Reach out to the communications team to be featured in our next Student Spotlight.
